Double trouble: Boedker's OT score puts Blackhawks on brink

Apr 20, 2012 - 3:42 AM

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mikkel Boedker's second consecutive overtime
game-winning tally came 2:15 into the extra session on Thursday, as Phoenix
posted a 3-2 decision over Chicago in Game 4 of this Western Conference
quarterfinal at United Center.

Boedker capitalized on a turnover at center ice and broke free up the middle,
but a pair of Chicago defenders closed in as he approached Corey Crawford.
While momentarily tied up by Blackhawks rearguard Nick Leddy, the winger
managed to push the puck through Crawford's pads and over the goal line for
the decider.

Shane Doan and Taylor Pyatt also scored for the Coyotes, who took a commanding
3-1 series edge and can advance to the next round with a Saturday win on home
ice.

Mike Smith stopped 30-of-32 shots.

Brendan Morrison and Michael Frolik provided the offense for the Blackhawks,
who erased a 2-0 deficit late in regulation.

Crawford finished with just 16 saves.

Phoenix hit the scoreboard at 7:03 of the third period. Doan stripped Johnny
Oduya inside the Chicago zone and fed across to Ray Whitney for a blistering
one-timer. Crawford did the splits to stop it, but the rebound kicked back to
Doan in the slot for a successful turnaround shot.

It was 2-0 just 44 seconds later when Pyatt netted his second of the
postseason.

The Blackhawks responded with 9:35 remaining as a Morrison drive from the
right circle deflected off the stick of a Coyotes defender and sailed over
Smith's glove.

Despite misfiring on a subsequent power play, the hosts stayed alive by
killing off a tripping penalty to Patrick Sharp.

Then, seconds after Crawford was called to the bench, Frolik managed to tap in
a loose puck from the left side of the crease to tie things with 1:26
remaining.

It was the third time in four games that Chicago rallied to force OT after
pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker.

Game Notes

The Coyotes/Jets franchise hasn't advanced to the second round since Winnipeg
did so in 1987 by topping the Calgary Flames in a Smythe Division
semifinal...They have blown three previous 3-1 series advantages (1990 vs.
EDM; 1992 vs. VAN; 1999 vs. STL)...Prior to the game, the NHL fined Chicago
head coach Joel Quenneville $10,000 for his comments towards officials in Game
3, who failed to recognize a questionable hit by Phoenix forward Raffi Torres
on 'Hawks veteran Marian Hossa that landed Hossa in the hospital...Hossa was a
scratch...All four games in this series have been decided in overtime, the
first time that's happened since the 1951 Stanley Cup Final between Montreal
and Toronto.